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2015 YOUTH IN CUSTODY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Application Packet
2015 F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t h t t p : / / c j j r . g e o r g e t o w n . e d u o r c o n t a c t t h e C e n t e r f o r J u v e n i l e J u s t i c e R e f o r m a t j j r e f o r m @ g e o r g e t o w n . e d u . [Type text]
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Table of Contents I. Introduction ............................................................................................. 3
II. Curriculum .............................................................................................. 4
III. Capstone Project ...................................................................................... 7
IV. Fellows Network and Other Benefits of the Program ............................................ 8
V. Date and Location of the Program .................................................................. 9
VI. Tuition and Subsidy ................................................................................... 9
VII. Selection Criteria ................................................................................... 10
VIII. About the Partners ................................................................................ 11
IX. Application Guidelines .............................................................................. 13
X. Essay Questions....................................................................................... 14
Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
2 I. Introduction We have learned a tremendous amount in the last decade about how Youth in Custody to best serve youth in the juvenile justice system. Through advances Certificate Program in research, we now understand more about how and where to treat juvenile offenders. For example, research shows that low-‐ and moderate-‐risk youth are best served in the community in non-‐
July 6-‐10, 2015 residential placements that offer better youth outcomes and lower costs. For higher-‐risk youth who require residential placements, facilities should be safe and operate according to best practices—practices that reach beyond residential settings and apply to the juvenile offender population as a whole. These practices include engaging families, using a treatment-‐oriented approach, promoting non-‐residential program options, engaging other child-‐serving agencies, and more. Further, to ensure youth are served in a manner that promotes positive outcomes, jurisdictions must develop a strong assessment system, a robust continuum of effective services, and aftercare processes. This is particularly necessary for the highest-‐risk population of juvenile offenders. However, most efforts to date have focused on ensuring that low-‐ and moderate-‐risk youth are not committed to juvenile justice facilities. Less attention has been paid to best practices for serving the high-‐risk youth who are in the custody of the juvenile justice system. Also, while research has shown the juvenile justice field “what works” for this population, it is often difficult for juvenile justice systems to reform their practices to be in line with best practices. “As representatives from the State of Nebraska, we had
the immense privilege of being selected to attend
CJJR’s Youth in Custody Certificate Program. The
The Youth in Custody Certificate Program quality of the Certificate Programs is well known
serves as a venue that offers leaders the within Nebraska and the expertise that is brought in to
opportunity to develop capacity, effectuate present is highly coveted by all professionals working in
change, and sustain and build on system juvenile justice. The group of presenters that were
improvements over time. Specifically, this assembled was among the nation’s leaders and experts
program shines a brighter light on the serious, in the field of juvenile justice providing all participants
an incredibly informative and engaging week. With the
high-‐risk juvenile offender population, and information gained at the CJJR Certificate Program,
helps leaders begin or accelerate systemic along with the technical assistance provided by CJJR,
change to improve outcomes for youth in we were able to bring back that knowledge to the state
custody. While the need for a continuum of of Nebraska and greatly improve our juvenile justice
services and placements throughout the reform efforts in the state. The accommodations made
juvenile justice system provides the context by the CJJR staff and the conference site was of the
for this work, the program focuses on youth highest standards and made the experience one that we
will remember. We can’t state enough how valuable
in post-‐adjudication custody. and enriching the experience was for both of us.”
The Youth in Custody Certificate Program will Amoreena Brady (Nebraska State Probation / Juvenile
be held from Monday, July 6 to Friday, July Division – Case Management Specialist)
10, 2015 at the Georgetown University Hotel James Bennett (Nebraska State Probation / Juvenile
and Conference Center in Washington, DC. Division – Director of Placement)
The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) Class of 2014
at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy and the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Division of Youth Services are partnering to offer this professional development opportunity. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
3 After completing the program, participants will be responsible for the development of a capstone project – a set of actions each participant will design and undertake within their organization or community to initiate or continue collaborative efforts related to improving outcomes for youth in the custody of the juvenile justice system. After the capstone project is developed and approved by Georgetown University, participants receive an Executive Certificate from the university and are offered technical assistance from instructors to aid in the implementation of their project. Additionally, alumni of the certificate program become part of the CJJR Fellows Network. II. Curriculum The Youth in Custody Certificate Program seeks to promote a juvenile justice system that: • Is comprehensive and collaborative, • Is therapeutic, • Is trauma-‐informed, • Uses the least-‐restrictive option that is necessary for the safety of the youth and the community, • Is community-‐based, • Is individualized and developmentally appropriate, • Engages families and communities, • Is research-‐based, and • Is outcome-‐driven. Each of these principles will be woven throughout the curriculum of the program. The curriculum will focus heavily on the change process that is needed to move forward reforms for youth in the custody of the juvenile justice system after case disposition. Case studies and other interactive learning techniques help participants apply the learning to situations they are likely to encounter. The curriculum includes the following modules: Culture Change and Leadership Culture change is a key component of reform. To successfully change the culture of juvenile justice systems and associated partners, strong leadership is required, especially when leading fiscally and politically contentious reforms such as closing facilities, placing juvenile offenders in the community, and more. One full day is devoted to the topics of culture change and leadership. This module discusses the following topics as they apply to better serving youth in the custody of the juvenile justice system: • The importance of a clear vision, mission, and guiding principles that articulate the philosophy of the agency and the framework in which all staff should operate. • Strategies to engage all levels of staff in the change process, including soliciting their buy-‐in and support, as well as effectively training them on new practices and skills needed to implement the reforms well. This includes discussing staff recruitment and retention strategies, as well as promoting workforce efficacy. • Collaborative leadership skills for working across systems and with communities. • Internal and external communication strategies and constituency-‐building skills to support and sustain system changes. • The role of leadership in developing trauma-‐informed systems. • Strategies for promoting accountability. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
4 Family Engagement The value of family engagement in the rehabilitation process cannot be underestimated. This module encourages participants to explore their own assumptions about the families of the youth with whom they work and analyze the challenges associated with effective family engagement. Strategies are presented for improving how engagement occurs in the juvenile justice system. This module approaches this topic from a positive youth development and trauma-‐informed perspective. “Sacramento County attended the Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice
Reform’s Youth in Custody Summer 2014 program. This was the second group of team
members that Sacramento has had attend this program at Georgetown. The training was
captivating and was more than we could have expected. The amount of knowledge on
juvenile justice reform in the training sessions was a welcome and worthy compilation of
instructors as well as attendees. The energy that this Georgetown program has put together
and is so willing to share is contagious and motivating.
The information that our group received and the assistance form the well qualified instructors
has allowed us to place much needed attention to the youth we serve in the Sacramento
Region.
The work that we participated in and developed has allowed us to provide beneficial
programming
in the custody setting. The connections made during the training sessions were
strong commitments to make all custody settings for youth positive and rewarding..”
Patti McGowan (Assistant Probation Division Chief)
Brad Marietti (Supervising Probation Officer)
Chris Eldridge (Mental Health Program Coordinator)
Class of 2014
Assessment Reliable and valid assessment instruments are vital for the juvenile justice system to serve youth appropriately, and as a result, reduce the risk of recidivism and promote positive youth outcomes. One module of this program is dedicated to the importance of risk and need assessments, individualized treatment planning and coordination of care, and the matching of youth to placement and services that address their risk and needs. Beyond ensuring these tools are available, this module addresses the challenges associated with the proper use of assessment tools to make connections to appropriate services and placements. This module examines how decision-‐making tools can positively impact the disproportionate representation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system. Treatment, Services, and Reentry To successfully rehabilitate the most high-‐risk youth offenders and reduce recidivism, an array of services and placement options must be available to meet their varied needs both while in residential placement post disposition, and upon return to the community. This module discusses: • How to build capacity to develop the array of services and placements required by youth in juvenile justice custody. This module focuses on effective group treatment practices and strategies for addressing substance abuse and mental health treatment needs. This topic includes a discussion of the need to address the treatment needs of the youth’s family and how family engagement is critical to effective treatment, services, and reentry. • The elements of trauma-‐informed care and best practices that create safe and healthy conditions in residential centers and community placements. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
5 •
Best practices for working with youth in residential settings. For example, this module discusses the need to move from large to small institutions, redesigning the physical look of facilities, exploring the “geography of the system” to ensure that youth have placement and treatment options close to their own community, both working with service delivery staff and leadership development, and adopting effective treatment practices. Education A huge part of successful rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism is a comprehensive, fully accredited, best practices-‐oriented educational program within a juvenile justice setting. This module discusses: • Comprehensive programming in juvenile corrections that meet state, national, and professional standards. • Long-‐term consequences associated with inadequate education and support. • How to build capacity to develop the array of services and placements required by youth in juvenile justice custody, and education programming in the context of comprehensive services and trauma-‐informed practices. • Educational and vocational supports that are critical to effective reentry. Expert Panel A panel of leaders that have successfully reformed or supported the way the juvenile justice system serves youth in custody is featured to provide participants real-‐life examples and an opportunity to ask questions of those who have done what they are seeking to do. Practical considerations of this work will be discussed, including a particular focus on financing mechanisms that can support a realignment of juvenile justice services. Each module focuses on practices for youth in the post-‐adjudication custody of the juvenile justice system (i.e., in secure residential placement), but connects to practices that must be in place at the front end of the juvenile justice system, as well as at the reentry stage. A common theme throughout the program is that for any one piece of the juvenile justice system to be as effective as possible, all components of the system must be working well. We set out a vision for participants that details what an ideal system looks like so they have a model to strive towards and can place their efforts within a larger context. To best meet the needs of participants, there will be ample time between applicants’ notification of acceptance and the program itself so that instructors can tailor instruction to suit the participants’ specific needs and interests. “The facilities and amenities were first class. The instructors are leaders in their
respective fields and are incredibly informative and engaging. It was by far the best
run, most enlightening, and beneficial training seminar I have ever attended. I would
highly recommend this program to all leaders in the juvenile justice field.”
Tom Theleritis (Assistant Superintendent, Peoria County, IL)
Class of 2013
Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
6 III. Capstone Project Participants develop and implement a capstone project during the twelve-‐month period following the completion of their certificate program session. The capstone project is a set of actions participants (either individually or as a team) will design and undertake within their organization or community by applying their learning from the certificate program to initiate or continue collaborative efforts related to improving outcomes for youth in the post-‐adjudication custody of the juvenile justice system. Example capstone projects could include: • developing a more robust array of services for youth in secure settings, • reducing the use of large congregate placements for youth in custody, • incorporating a variety of best practices into residential facilities in the participant’s jurisdiction, • a concerted effort to improve mental health services for youth in care, • and more. The capstone project can be designed as a large, systemic change initiative, or it can be a more targeted proposal. A one-‐ to two-‐page summary of the capstone project is due approximately one month after the end of the certificate program. The final capstone project proposal (10-‐12 pages) is due approximately two months after the end of the certificate program. CJJR will provide time for capstone development during the session in Washington, DC. Participants are also provided with technical assistance from instructors and staff to aid in the design or implementation of their project. Upon completion of the certificate program, each individual is allocated five hours of technical assistance from instructors to work through issues specific to their jurisdiction and community, during either development or implementation of their project. This technical assistance is done at arm’s length through emails, webinars, and conference calls. “It was great being part of the Youth in Custody Certificate Program. The Delaware team
was able to interact with so many other jurisdictions and share our thoughts and get input
from other professionals. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable in the issues,
insightful, and always willing to help. Additionally, it was a great experience for our team
to spend quality time together without having to worry about other issues.”
Thomas Spell (Superintendent, State of Delaware)
Class of 2013
Technical assistance from instructors is in addition to support from CJJR staff. CJJR requests formal progress updates twice a year after submission of the capstone project to track progress and offer assistance. Based on these updates, CJJR recognizes the individual or team who has made the most significant progress in improving outcomes for youth in their community with the Capstone of the Year Award. The recipient of this award can be any CJJR Fellow from any certificate program from any year. The winner of the award will receive a personalized plaque and be awarded free tuition and travel for one CJJR certificate program of their choosing. The winner of the award will be also be featured on our website and in the CJJR Fellows Network Newsletter (to which you will be subscribed as part of the Fellows Network). First distributed in March 2012, this award marks the beginning of an annual CJJR practice to honor and recognize the success, innovation, and tremendous work of CJJR Fellows via their capstone projects. Visit http://goo.gl/9s9Si for more information. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
7 IV. Fellows Network and Other Benefits of the Program After participants complete the certificate program and successfully develop a capstone project, they become members of the Fellows Network. The Fellows Network is comprised of the alumni of CJJR’s certificate programs. Since 2008, CJJR has held over a dozen certificate programs, resulting in more than 400 individuals being welcomed into the CJJR Fellows Network. The Fellows Network is designed to support the development of current and future leaders working to improve outcomes for youth known to multiple systems of care such as juvenile justice, child welfare, education, mental health, and others. This is done through assistance provided by national experts, members of the Fellows Network, and CJJR staff. Fellows Network participants stay connected through online tools so they can share knowledge and expertise, discuss reform agendas, and identify resources. The Fellows also have access to Fellows Network Calls that feature experts on a given topic and provide an opportunity for discussion. For example, past calls have focused on how to apply learning on education and disproportionality to make concrete reforms in a jurisdiction. Past Fellows Network calls have also provided the opportunity to give updates on capstone projects and seek support when needed. Benefits of participating in the program and being in the CJJR Fellows Network include: • Instruction from national experts on cutting edge ideas, policies, and practices from across the country; • Involvement in an interactive and dynamic learning environment with individuals from across the country who share a common interest in enhancing their reforms in this area; • Guidance on how to use the learning to develop an action plan (capstone project) to lead efforts around reform in your organization, community, and profession; • One-‐on-‐one technical assistance from national experts on the capstone project; • Executive Certificate from Georgetown University; • Priority to attend future programs, symposia, and forums sponsored by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform; and • Ongoing support from staff of the Center and other CJJR Fellows. “The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform's Youth in Custody Certificate Program provides an
opportunity to become part of a robust learning community focused on best practices in juvenile
justice. Participating in this program has allowed our team to develop strategies for enhancing our
service continuum for youth in custody to ensure we are meeting the needs of our most at-risk youth
and their families.”
Tanya Banks (Acting Assistant Superintendent, State of Delaware, Division of Youth Services)
Susan Burns (Region Manager, Delaware Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services)
Nancy Dietz (Director of Youth Rehabilitative Services, State of Delaware)
Alison McGonigal (Deputy Director, State of Delaware)
Raheem Perkins (Superintendent, State of Delaware)
Rebecca Richmond (Licensed Psychologist, State of Delaware)
Thomas Spell (Superintendent, State of Delaware)
Class of 2013
Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
8 V. Date and Location of the Program The Youth in Custody Certificate Program will be held from Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10, 2015. The program will be held at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC. All participants are required to travel to Washington, DC, arriving no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 6. The program will begin with a mandatory opening reception and dinner at 5:00 p.m. All participants are required to attend the certificate program through its last session on July 10. The last session will end in the early to mid afternoon. VI. Tuition and Subsidy The tuition for this program is $2,500 per person. Tuition does not include travel, hotel, or incidental expenses, which are the responsibility of the participant. CJJR tuition subsidies are available for participants with demonstrated financial need. There will also be subsidies available from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Center for Coordinated Assistance to States for teams who show a heightened readiness to utilize the curriculum to undertake changes in their local community. To apply for a subsidy, please submit the Statement of Financial Need (see below) with your application to the program and indicate the amount of aid you are requesting. As many agencies and organizations are facing budget restraints, we strongly urge participants to seek other forms of financial assistance. For example, local, state, and regional level foundations are often supportive of this type of training activity and may be able to provide grants to cover the portion of the tuition for which the participant is responsible, as well as travel costs. For education professionals, staff development activities are an allowable expense of Title I dollars, including Title I, Part D funds. CJJR has reviewed Title I, Part D and it is our belief that the certificate program qualifies as an eligible program since it addresses the staff development needs of educators and coordinators in leadership roles working with neglected, delinquent, or at-‐risk programs. Therefore, CJJR urges education professionals to contact their Neglected and Delinquent State Coordinators or Title I Directors to request approval for the use of Title I funds to support their participation in this program. Title IV-‐E of the Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act may also support this type of training activity for eligible candidates, as will funds available to states and localities through the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Again, applicants are encouraged to seek this type of support through their state’s administering agency. The full tuition balance must be paid in full prior to the start of program. Applicants accepted for participation will receive additional information regarding how to make payment. Dinner is provided the first night of the program. Breakfast and lunch are provided the second through last day of the program. To make the booking of hotel rooms as easy as possible, the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform will reserve a block of rooms at a reduced rate at the program site. Participants will, however, be responsible for hotel expenses and making their individual reservations. More information will be provided upon acceptance to the program. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
9 VII. Selection Criteria The Youth in Custody Certificate Program is designed for public and private sector leaders working in the juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, education, and other related systems of care that serve juvenile justice-‐involved youth. Those who attend the program will be the current and future leaders of these agencies and communities – individuals who are responsible for, and capable of, leading change. Participants can be from the local or state level, and may also include individuals working on best practices for this population at the national level. While individuals will be permitted, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as a team to increase their ability to implement reforms upon completion of the certificate program. Applicants are encouraged to form teams of up to eight people. Ideally, they will include the most senior juvenile justice professional in the jurisdiction, key senior level juvenile justice administrators/managers, and representatives from core partners such as the mental health and child welfare agencies, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the judiciary. Applicants should carefully consider whether the team has the ability to affect the care of youth in post-‐adjudication custody, including their reentry into the community. Required team members include: • Juvenile justice agency director / most senior juvenile justice leader in the jurisdiction, and/or key juvenile justice management staff, such as Program Directors, Deputy Directors, facility management, etc. Recommended team members may include: • Leaders from partner agencies, such as child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, education, and community members • A judge or others from the court system • Law enforcement • Probation/Parole Officer • State legislator, county commissioner, county councilman/councilwoman • Other criminal justice system professionals who play a role in services provided to post-‐
disposition youth in custody The exact composition of the team depends on the goals of the team. Selection decisions will focus heavily on participants’ readiness for implementing reforms, assessed by asking applicants to summarize their role in past reform efforts, especially efforts that engaged leaders in other systems, and their agency’s relationship with other child serving agencies. Applicants should identify the barriers they experienced in undertaking this work, and what efforts they have taken to overcome those barriers. We are looking for participants who are seeking to build on their successes or overcome challenges, thereby being in a position to most benefit from the instruction and technical assistance they will receive during the certificate program and as fellows. The strength of team composition will also be considered within the context of the goals of the team. Because the Youth in Custody Certificate Program is meant to benefit current and future leaders, the Center will choose those applicants from appropriate professional roles, possessing the requisite experience and expertise. While there are no minimum education or experience requirements, a preference will be given to those with the ability and in a position to move reform efforts forward upon completion of the certificate program. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
10 Note that individuals who have participated in CJJR’s other certificate programs would benefit from attending this program to explore youth in custody issues more deeply and develop reform efforts specific to this area. This program is NOT accepting applications from students who do not also hold a professional role in a child serving organization. “The Youth in Custody Certificate Program was a wonderful experience for everyone that attended from
the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Spending an extended amount of time with
experts from around the country that have dedicated their careers to the juvenile justice profession was
both enlightening and motivating. Each of the speakers and topics selected addressed critical, cutting edge
issues that are central to our current reform efforts, developing initiatives, and to the future direction of our
agency. Our team left the program reinvigorated and eager to get to work implementing the new strategies
that were presented at the program. The knowledge we gained has already inspired us to create a Special
Projects Committee that we believe will enhance our ability to serve all youth committed to the Agency. I
would strongly encourage my colleagues within the Agency and in the field to participate in future
sessions.”
Steve Baynes (Senior Program Manager for Residential Programs and Services, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Joy Buford (Supervisory Youth Development Representative, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Nicole Burke (Unit Manager, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Marcus Ellis (Superintendent, District Government; Washington, DC)
Nancy Fisher (Deputy Superintendent of Treatment, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Dionne Hayes (General Counsel, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Charlayne Hayling-Williams (Treatment Program Director, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Kim Jackson (Assistant Youth Treatment Manager, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Asante Laing (Program Manager, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Dana McDaniel (Treatment Manager, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Tania Mortenson (Special Assistant, DYRS; Washington, DC)
Class of 2013
VIII. About the Partners Center for Juvenile Justice Reform The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform supports leadership development and advances a balanced, multi-‐systems approach to reducing juvenile delinquency that promotes positive child and youth development, while also holding youth accountable. Housed in one of the most prestigious universities in the country at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, the Center is in a unique position to provide strong and sustained national leadership in identifying and highlighting the research on policies and practices that work best to reduce delinquency and achieve better outcomes for this nation’s children. A particular focus of the Center’s work is on youth known to both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, also known as “crossover youth.” Shay Bilchik, one of the country’s most influential voices in the juvenile justice arena, works closely with Georgetown’s other policy centers and departments in leading the Center’s efforts. The Center hosts several certificate programs and in 2008 and 2009 engaged in a year long Breakthrough Series Collaborative to test small scale reforms in seven jurisdictions. The guiding principles and best practices identified and developed through our staff, expert instructors, and surveying of the juvenile justice and child welfare fields, serve as “drivers” in creating the curriculum for Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
11 the certificate programs. CJJR has also used this knowledge to develop a practice model that describes the specific practices that need to be in place within a jurisdiction in order to reduce the number of youth who crossover between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, the number of youth entering and reentering care, and the length of stay in out of home care. CJJR is currently implementing this practice model in dozens of jurisdictions around the country. Through a grant from the Public Welfare Foundation, the Center is also working to convene progressive juvenile justice leaders actively engaged in reform efforts in a Juvenile Justice Leadership Network to strengthen peer support and solidify lessons learned in the field. Additionally, the Center hosts a Public Information Officer Learning Collaborative for communication directors in the juvenile justice and child welfare fields to enhance messaging around reform efforts underway in their jurisdictions. Another key aspect of the Center’s work is the Juvenile Justice System Improvement Project and Juvenile Justice Reform and Reinvestment Initiative-‐-‐efforts designed to help states improve outcomes for juvenile offenders by better translating knowledge on "what works" into everyday practice and policy. For more on the Center’s work, visit http://cjjr.georgetown.edu. Missouri Department of Social Services’ Division of Youth Services The Missouri Department of Social Services, Division of Youth Services (DYS) is the state agency charged with the care and treatment of delinquent youth committed to its custody by Missouri’s 45 juvenile and family courts circuits. The ultimate goal of DYS is to strengthen and increase the safety of Missouri communities by supporting young people in becoming productive citizens who lead fulfilling lives. The Missouri approach to juvenile justice emphasizes moving beyond symptoms to the root causes of juvenile delinquency so that changes made by young people are long-‐lasting, preparing them to return and contribute positively to their school, home, and community. The approach has been widely recognized through winning the 2008 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for Children and Family System Reform, site visits from over 30 states and jurisdictions, and numerous publications, case studies, and documentaries available at www.missouriapproach.org. The Missouri approach is more than a program model. While structural changes such as small humane programs close to home, family-‐like groups, individualized care, and least restrictive environments have been vehicles for change, the organizational culture has clearly fueled the change. Rather than a traditional correctional model, DYS utilizes a therapeutic youth development approach focused on prevention and early intervention for young people at the front-‐end of the system, balanced by a comprehensive and fully integrated treatment approach for youth who have progressed in the system and are at greatest risk of reoffending. The broad-‐based approach works with the entire family and engages the community through active community liaison councils and partnerships. DYS coordinates an extensive Juvenile Court Diversion program that strengthens the local continuum of care with juvenile and family courts and communities around the state to prevent youth from reoffending or progressing deeper into the juvenile justice system, and reducing the risk of a youth’s commitment to DYS custody. In many cases youth are served by DYS Day Treatment and Community Resource Centers without any formal commitment to custody. For youth in custody, DYS operates a regionalized continuum of least restrictive services based on an assessment of strengths, risks, and needs including community placement, day treatment, group homes, and moderate and secure residential. DYS operates an accredited school district, universal case Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
12 management; and robust aftercare services, family therapy, and multi-‐family groups; and extensive transition supports such as mentoring, education, employment, and community service. IX. Application Guidelines Submit applications by 11:59 p.m. (in the applicant’s local time zone) by Friday, April 17, 2015. Applications must be completed online at: http://goo.gl/forms/NwfDpnmxzY Those applying as individuals should complete the entire application, including Parts I and III. Those applying as part of a team should each complete Parts I and II. The team should designate one member to complete Part III on the team’s behalf. Key Dates
Friday, April 17, 2015
at 11:59 p.m.
(in applicant’s time zone)
Application deadline
May 2015
Notification of acceptance
July 6, 2015
Financial Assistance: Tuition Payment Due
The tuition for the certificate program is $2,500 per person. This does Certificate Program Begins
not include any additional costs for airfare, hotel accommodations, and incidental expenses. Dinner will be provided the first night of the program, and breakfast and lunch will be provided the second through last day of the program. There are a limited number of CJJR subsidies of up to $1,000 to support the participation of individuals and teams with demonstrated need. There will also be subsidies available from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Center for Coordinated Assistance to States for teams that show a heightened readiness to utilize the curriculum to undertake changes in their local community. Heightened readiness will be assessed based on the following factors: • Understanding of the issues: A thoughtful understanding of issues, such as specific policies and practices that remain to be addressed in the juvenile justice system in your jurisdiction. • Leadership: A description of contributions team members have made or are able to make to reform efforts, and to advocating for this issue to become a priority. • Capacity to use data in order to support and measure the impact of reform efforts: Specific references to data describing the issues identified in your jurisdiction. • Family engagement: The history of, and/or strategy to pursue, efforts to effectively engage families in order to better serve the youth in your jurisdiction. • Efficacy: A detailed description of challenges or barriers encountered in previous reform efforts, and an understanding of successful and unsuccessful strategies to eliminate barriers. • Capacity and willingness to collaborate (within your team and with others): An analysis of each team member's role, influence and resources, and a description of any history of successful collaboration and reform efforts. • Available resources: An analysis of the available resources within your jurisdiction, as well as capacity and strategy to obtain resources to implement the reform effort. To apply for a subsidy, submit a statement of financial need with your individual online application. The statement of financial need should be one paragraph that details your circumstances and needs, indicating the specific amount you are requesting. Please indicate if your agency/organization is unable or unwilling to provide funds for your attendance at this program and any attempts you have made to identify local foundations that could support your participation. CJJR will not conduct any separate review of your financial need, so we encourage you to exercise restraint in applying for these limited dollars, helping to ensure that they are allocated to those with the greatest need. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
13 Please direct any questions to Jill Adams at [email protected] or Janet Sully at [email protected]. X. Essay Questions Responses to these questions must be submitted online using this link: http://goo.gl/Z83g00. We recommend that you gather all necessary information, compose your essay responses in a word processing application, and visit the submission form when you are prepared to enter all information. You will not be able to save your entries and return at a later date using the online application. While the length of your responses to each question may vary, your essay questions as a whole should be equivalent to roughly 3-‐4 single-‐spaced pages. In your responses, please feel free to discuss your reform efforts with pre-‐adjudication youth as examples of your work. You need not limit your answers to post-‐disposition youth in custody. INSTRUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS If you are applying as an individual and not as part of a larger team, you must answer all questions in Parts I and III of this application form, but NOT Part II. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE APPLYING AS PART OF A TEAM Each individual team member must submit their own application, completing Parts I and II of the form. The team should designate one member to answer the essay questions in Part III of this form, which they will submit on the team’s behalf. The other team members will NOT complete Part III. PART I: Professional Biography: 300-‐500 words (Required of ALL applicants) Please provide a narrative biography that summarizes your resume, including education, work experience, and skills. This biography should be written in third person, e.g., "Dr. Jones has fifteen years of experience in the field." Should you be accepted to the program, this biography will be shared with the faculty and fellow participants. PART II: Personal Statement: 500-‐1000 words (Required of all applicants applying as part of a team, but NOT required of those applying as individuals) Describe your personal goals and what you hope to achieve by participating in this certificate program, as well as your previous experience in reform efforts for youth in custody. Explain your current leadership responsibilities and capacity to influence reform in this area. This question is asking about your personal goals – your team will have an opportunity to describe team goals in the essay questions. NOTE: Because this question is only for those applying as part of a team, if you are applying as an individual, with no co-‐applicants, please simply respond "N/A." Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
14 PART III: Essay Questions (Required of those who are applying as an individual, AND required of those who are applying as part of a team and have been designated by their team members to be the one who responds to the Part III Essay Questions on behalf of the group) 1. What do you hope to achieve by participating in this Certificate Program? If you are applying as a team, this response should reflect the goals of the entire team rather than individual members. Please be as specific as possible. When describing your goal, please provide any relevant data regarding the issues within your jurisdiction that your goal seeks to address, as well as how you might collect and analyze data moving forward to assess whether you are achieving that goal. 2. Please describe any past reform efforts aimed at improving services for youth in custody that you or your organization has undertaken. Note that there should be at least one example from the past two years. 3. Please discuss any previous reform efforts you or your team have initiated or participated in that required partnerships with other systems (including law enforcement), community groups, families, or constituents. 4. What barriers or challenges have you or your team encountered when undertaking reforms to improve services for youth in custody? In the past two years, what specific actions have you or your team taken to address the barriers/challenges? Which specific actions were most effective in overcoming the challenges? What has been least successful and why? 5. If you are applying as a team, please comment on the role and importance of each team member in terms of your team’s ability to lead or influence the development and implementation of a reform initiative in the juvenile justice system within your jurisdiction. If you are applying as an individual, please comment on your role and your ability to lead or influence the development and implementation of reform within the juvenile justice system in your jurisdiction. For both those applying as individuals and those applying as part of a team, please also take this opportunity to comment on any additional resources, if any, available to you in developing and implementing reforms. Youth in Custody Certificate Program 2015 Application Packet
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